that is bad for america and all of us. i think the republicans have to realize the position of strength that the president is starting from here. >> rob, it sounds like they're starting to recognize it. you had the interview in the "wall street journal" this weekend, where mcconnell said he's willing to pay the ransom. meaning he's willing to sign off on higher taxes for the wealthy, which obama is demanding. the democrats have the leverage and the republicans recognize that and the republicans will compromise in some way on the tax issue. my issue and question is this. there was a civil war in the republican party the last time republican members of congress voted for a atax hike in 1990 under george bush sr. is this a situation for the next six weeks republican leaders pretend there's no deal coming and pretend they fight it tooth and nail. we get to december 29th and dictator obama forced this on us. is that the game mcconnell and boehner play here? >> i think they know that game won't play well. they have to play it. e